Dec. 10, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Following a weekend series against Holy Cross, the Penn State men's hockey team will hit the road once again for a Tuesday night matchup against Fredonia State. Opening faceoff is set at 7 p.m.
Tuesday night's game between the Nittany Lions (6-7-0) and Fredonia State (5-7-0) was originally scheduled for Nov. 30, but was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can listen to Tuesday's game on the Penn State Sports Network (WRSC 103.1 FM locally) and through the All-Access channel at GoPSUsports.com. Fans can also follow in-game updates through the team's Twitter account (@PennStateMHKY).
SCOUTING FREDONIA STATE
The Blue Devils compete as members of the SUNYAC conference at the NCAA Division III level. Fredonia State, which last weekend split a home-and-home series with Elmira, is 1-5-0 in its last six games.
COMMON OPPONENT
Both Penn State and Fredonia State have played Buffalo State this season. The Nittany Lions were 1-1-0 against the Bengals, while Fredonia State fell to its conference rival, 7-3.
LAST YEAR VS. FREDONIA
The Penn State club team defeated Fredonia State, 5-4, in come-from-behind fashion Nov. 5, 2011. Penn State fell behind, 4-2, in the second period before scoring three straight goals, including George Saad's game-winner, to secure the victory. Current Nittany Lions Justin Kirchhevel (twice) and Jacob Friedman also scored.
PENN STATE VS. NCAA DIII
Penn State, which is 1-1-0 against NCAA DIII opponents in 2012-13, is playing its second NCAA DIII team of the season. The Nittany Lions lost to Buffalo State, 3-0, Oct. 19 before defeating the Bengals, 4-2, Nov. 3. Penn State will also host Neumann Jan. 15.
PENALTY KILL
Penn State has given its opposition at least two power-play opportunities in each game this season. After surrendering five power-play goals in 19 chances to open the season, the Penn State penalty kill has gone 41-for-48 (.854) during the last eight games.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Penn State has had at least five different goal scorers in three games this season (10/26 at Army, 10/27 at Sacred Heart, 11/10 vs. Air Force). Fifteen players have recorded at least two points, while 18 Nittany Lions have reached the scoresheet this season.
LEAVING THEIR MARKS
Freshman David Glen (8g, 5a) has recorded at least one point in eight games this season. Classmates Casey Bailey (5g, 5a) and Kenny Brooks (1g, 5a), sophomore Max Gardiner (2g, 7a) and junior Nate Jensen (2g, 5a) have recorded at least one point in six games. Freshmen Curtis Loik (2g, 3a) and Jonathan Milley (4g, 3a) have notched at least one point in five games.
LIONS IN THE NCAA
Through Dec. 8 games, freshman David Glen is tied for fourth among the nation's rookies with 1.00 point per game, while classmate Casey Bailey is tied for 14th with 0.77. Freshman goaltender Matthew Skoff ranks 20th in the NCAA in save percentage (.923). As a team, Penn State leads the NCAA in penalty minutes per game (18.4).
FRESHMAN IMPACT
All nine of Penn State's skating freshmen have recorded at least one point during the 2012-13 season. Penn State freshmen account for seven of the Nittany Lions' top-10 point-scorers.
LAST TIME OUT
Penn State was swept for the second straight series, falling to Holy Cross, 5-4 in overtime, Friday and by a 4-1 score Saturday. Friday night, Jonathan Milley, who played in his first game since Nov. 3, tallied a career-high three points (1g, 2a), while Casey Bailey (1g, 1a), David Glen (1g, 1a) and Connor Varley (1g, 1a) also notched multi-point games. Junior defenseman Nate Jensen scored the Lions' lone goal Saturday.
LOOKING AHEAD
Penn State will return to the Greenberg Ice Pavilion Saturday, Dec. 15 when it welcomes Robert Morris for its final home game of the calendar year. Opening faceoff is set at 7:30 p.m.